Georgia's European Championship heroes are showered with money
Georgian footballers pull off a shock: Willy Sagnol's team surprises Portugal in last group game and advances to the EURO quarterfinals. For this feat, the Georgian oligarch and former premier minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has promised the squad a financial boost of approximately ten million euros.
The honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, also the richest man in Georgia, further declared "in case of a victory over Spain," the same amount for the team, according to a statement from the party. The quarterfinal match on Sunday (8 pm) in Cologne awaits the title favorite. For Georgia, the first EURO participation since the surprising win over Portugal is already a success.
In the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, there was pure ecstasy. Thousands of people celebrated deep into the night the football miracle of their heroes, sat on the roofs of moving cars, and waved their red-white flags. "No one will ever understand what Georgians are feeling right now," said midfielder Giorgi Zitaischvili after the unlikely quarterfinal entry of the "Knight Templars" from the politically turbulent country.
Kvaratskhelia shines
"You can't imagine what's happening in Georgia right now. It's an incredible feeling to be a part of it," said Otar Kiteishvili. Trainer Willy Sagnol was also aware of the significance of the achievement for the country with around 3.7 million inhabitants, the second smallest participant in the EURO. "Our only responsibility was to make Georgians proud of their players. I think we did it in the best way possible," the long-serving Bayern Munich player said. Realizing this success, the Frenchman admitted, will probably only happen "when we lose and go back home."
Young star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stole the show against the heavy favorites from Portugal. With his goal just 94 seconds in, the 23-year-old set the party in motion and sent the Arena Auf Schalke into a frenzy. As the man of the match, he received the trophy and sent hopeful words to his country: "Today we've seen that it's possible to win - no matter who the opponent is," said the SSC Napoli star.
In the lead-up to the European Football Championship 2024, the Georgian team might receive additional funding if they manage to defeat Spain, as Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Georgian oligarch and former premier minister, has promised another ten million euros. During the 2024 tournament, fans in Georgia will be hoping for another surprise performance from their squad, having seen their team advance to the quarterfinals despite being one of the smallest participants in the EURO.
